Page 456 of Now and Forever

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Mr. and Mrs. Pearson welcome me with such warmth and enthusiasm that it makes me feel guilty as hell.

Why? Drake, of course.

Abby and Warren Pearson are the epitome of soul-mates, if such a thing does exist, these two would be on the top roster. Jared has his father’s structure and facial features, but he has his mother’s eyes and smile.

The party for their wedding anniversary probably has about three hundred guests. It’s chaotic, crazy and lively with happy chatters. It is, after all, a celebration of love. Thirty-five years of it.

Their sprawling lush garden has been transformed into a beautiful setting of white, more white, and a hint of dark purple. Each time we pass a person, Jared greets them genuinely and everyone seems pleased to meet me.

I’m seated with Jared and the rest of his relatives, which there are many of them; I have a hard time remembering their names.

“So, this is the woman that finally captured my brother’s heart?” a guy says from behind me. When he comes into view, he smiles with an outstretched hand. “I’m Jared’s brother, Jason.”

“Lily Alexander.” I take his outstretched hand and shake it.

Jason looks like Jared, except he has green eyes. If I didn’t know any better, I could mistake them for twins. Jason is younger by two years, though. So, when he decides to join us at our table, I prepare myself for the mini interrogation that I’m sure is coming.

Instead, I get a whole lot of laughs. Jared and Jason together are definitely crazy fun. They joke like they are best friends. There is no sibling rivalry to speak of. Eventually, everyone becomes quiet when Warren stands up with a microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to thank all of you for coming here to celebrate this tremendously special day with us. Thirty-five years of happiness with my Abby. Yes, people. Staying married can be done.” People laugh at that, as do I. Jared reaches out for my hand and kisses it before returning his attention back to his father. I don’t hear much of the rest of Warren’s speech because my mind is busy intruding on my concentration.

Jared is serious about me. Taking me here, on his parent’s thirty-fifth anniversary, is a monster-sized sign of that and I’m starting to like his family, too.

“. . . please give a toast to my beautiful wife, Abby. Ever since our first kiss on Redondo Beach, under the stars that summer, I have never looked back. I love you.”

Both sons are smiling and clapping at their parents as the guests watch them kiss.

Then the real party begins. Jason hired a live band and a DJ. With good music, great company and a never-ending supply of alcohol, everyone is having a blast, including me.

When the band starts to play The Way You Look Tonight in a slow jazzy beat, Jared gets up. “Dance with me?”

Smiling, I accept. “Sure”

Jared leads us to the dance floor, wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to his chest. The music draws me in as Jared takes over my senses. With his hot breath against my ear, our breathing accelerates as we dance to the slow beat. For a while, it makes me forget the kind of emotional turmoil that I’m in.

“Thank you for coming. My family adores you,” Jared says after we’ve danced silently for a few moments.

“They’re lovely. Thank you for inviting me and sharing this significant day.”

His hand grips me tighter. “God, you smell great. Lil . . .” Jared’s breathing shifts. “I want you.”

I bite my lip as I contemplate what to say to him. “I know. Give me a few weeks, then I will be . . . ready for you. To be with you, I mean.”

Shit, did I just say that? Two weeks to get over Drake? Was that even enough time?

“Is there another man? Is that why you’re so hesitant?” Jared halts when the music stops.

Reaching for my hand, he guides me toward the other end of the garden, where there are no people around. The tall trees and rose bushes make it difficult to see, but Jared knows where he’s going. He stops when we get to a fountain. The smell of roses are overpowering and toying with my senses. I have to concede that roses are definitely the smell of seduction.

I’m not panicking that I’m alone with Jared in the dark, but I’m a little hesitant to tell him about Drake because if he starts shooting out questions, I may not have an answer for him. I can barely admit to most of the answers to myself . . . Never mind saying them out loud.

“Lily, I’m still waiting for you to answer my question.” Jared is a couple of feet away from me. His hands are in his pockets, his face serious as he waits for me to speak.

Oh, fuck it. Jared deserves more than this. “A guy from my past recently came back into my life.”

“An ex? Does he want you back? Where do I stand?” Jared looks devastated and I feel bad, actually, I feel like shit.

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